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exacting

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verb

present participle of exact
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as in extorting
to get (as money) by the use of force or threats that loan shark can be counted upon to exact repayment of his loan by whatever means necessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective exacting contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exacting are burdensome, onerous, and oppressive. While all these words mean "imposing hardship," exacting implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice in the demands made or in the one demanding.

an exacting employer

When would burdensome be a good substitute for exacting?

In some situations, the words burdensome and exacting are roughly equivalent. However, burdensome suggests causing mental as well as physical strain.

burdensome responsibilities

Where would onerous be a reasonable alternative to exacting?

Although the words onerous and exacting have much in common, onerous stresses being laborious and heavy especially because distasteful.

the onerous task of cleaning up the mess

When could oppressive be used to replace exacting?

While the synonyms oppressive and exacting are close in meaning, oppressive implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed.

the oppressive tyranny of a police state

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exacting
Adjective
And his budgets, then as now, tended to reflect more exotic materials and more exacting processes. Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 Alexander-Arnold is not unique in being held to a different, more exacting standard than the vast majority. Rory Smith, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
The dual pressures of addiction and burnout are exacting a steep toll on America’s entrepreneurs and executives. Jaime Catmull, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Playing, winning, is exacting its toll in the form of pain. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exacting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exacting
Adjective
  • However, later in the day, be careful about jumping to conclusions when dealing with others.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
  • The takeaway: Be careful about triggering too many credit inquiries.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Freeform rolling carry-on was deemed the Best Overall Carry-on by Travel + Leisure after rounds of rigorous testing at our New York City lab.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025
  • Before a potential controller can even step foot in the academy, there’s a rigorous application and qualification process.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Speaking with director Joe Johnston, Oka explained the two most difficult things to simulate digitally at the time were human skin and water.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 15 July 2025
  • They are often considered the most beautiful irises but can be difficult to grow.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • The producer said getting his hands on an original copy of the Carter song on LP proved challenging, and expensive, signaling a cult following for such music.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
  • Figuring out what that number is can be quite challenging as the issue is twofold: the company's cash needs and your own personal reserves, which are separate.
    Kristin McKenna, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Everest's unpredictable weather and difficult breathing conditions make this one of the most physically and mentally demanding climbs in the world.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Israel is demanding the release of all the remaining hostages, living and dead, with stages of a ceasefire in between releases, according to the ministry.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • It could be argued that imposing retaliatory tariffs on electricity exports might encourage American states to seek more cost-effective energy alternatives, particularly those based on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.
    Ali Hoss, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • These executive orders have addressed a broad range of policy areas, including imposing tariffs that has escalated trade tensions and provoked retaliatory measures from foreign governments.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In particular, compliance, vendor due diligence, treasury operations, and HR policy development are emerging as high-impact use cases.
    Ron Shevlin, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • The composers also had to navigate the IP’s legacy, in particular, that of John Williams’ original heroic themes – the very DNA of Superman.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump's administration has announced strict new visa restrictions for Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • The rule requires refiners and fuel distributors to meet stricter emissions targets even as refineries close in a state that has long made its hostility to the oil and gas industry clear.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exacting. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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